Coral Coast, Viti Levu
Main concentration of resorts in Fiji
Centre for tours and activities
Sigatoka Sandunes
Historic Tavuni Hill Fort
Scenic River Valley Road inland from Sigatoka.
Some good wild beaches and manicured resort beaches
Coral reef exposed at low tide - not good for swimming / snorkelling
Introduction
The Coral Coast on Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu, is the main destination for a Fiji vacation. Along the coast are a handful of large resorts (including Shangri-La and Outrigger) and many medium and small resorts. Between the resorts are large stretches of uninhabited rainforest with the occasional coastal fishing village. The coastline is a combination of bays, beaches, rocky outcrops and mangrove forests - from these, steep hills rise sharply into the nearby mountain ranges.
Sigatoka is the region's main town. It has a lively market alongside the bus-stand but little else of particular appeal. Heading inland, the Sigatoka Valley Road passes through some stunning scenery alongside the winding Sigatoka River. This is Fiji's salad garden - sugar cane fields and vegetable plantations hug the river right into the interior. The hills alongside the river are rolling and covered in grass shrub as opposed to rainforest. Tavuni Hill Fort, an ancient tribal fortification, sits high up on one of these hillocks and has a visitor centre and trails. On view are the rather gruesome killing stones from Fiji's ritualistic past as well as numerous foundations all labelled with interesting facts. West of Sigatoka is an another National Park protecting the Sigatoka Sandunes. The 50-metre high stretch of sandunes has a visitor centre and guides are available for ecology tours. The sandunes are of significant historical importance for they cover what used to be an ancient settlement. Surfing and windsurfing along this stretch of coastline is excellent although the seas can be extremely dangerous for casual swimmers.
As you travel east from Sigatoka, the sugar plantations give way to a more tropical scene - mountains and rainforest. Korotogo is a charming stretch of coastline with a handful of family and budget resorts, restaurants and attractions. The beaches along this stretch are not the most spectacular in Fiji, the main problem being from dead coral which becomes exposed at low tide making it impossible to swim. However, the vacation atmosphere of the area and the opportunity to explore the region and eat away from the hotel makes up for this.
Beyond Korotogo, the vacation resorts are scattered along the mangrove coastline where there is a good stretch of beach. Korolevu is a defunct airstrip with a few shops. A few miles inland from Korolevu village are some excellent waterfalls and caves which appear on tour itineraries. There is an excellent backpacker resort past Korolevu called the Beachouse which has a lovely beach. The beachouse has self-catering units for families as well as camping and dorms for backpackers. Beyond Korolevu the rainforest becomes denser and the mountains more inaccessible. There is an interesting village on the tiny island of Serua. Waidroka Bay has good hiking and surfing and marks the end of the Coral Coast.
All the larger resorts along the Coral Coast have excellent night entertainment including traditional Fijian mekes (dances) and authentic firewalking displays.
Coral Coast Accommodation
Tour Operators
Go East to Suva
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Getting There
1-2 hours by car from Nadi Airport
The Coral Coast lies along the Queen's Highway between Nadi and Suva. Public buses travel in both directions throughout the day and are very cheap. However, they stop at only a few of the resorts doorsteps. Tourist buses are a little more expensive, but still very cheap and stop at all the resorts along the way. The service is limited to a few departures in each direction per day. Taxis are also cheap to hire and have stands at most of the resorts as well as all the towns. There is no commercial airport along the Coral Coast. Those on pre-booked vacations will be met at the airport by their hotel shuttle.
Transfer / Car Hire Companies
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